Action has been taken to address safety on a footpath in Hastings after a serious assault earlier this year.

Following the incident on the footpath from Sandrock Park entrance to St Helens Church in January, Hastings Borough councillors and officers, Ark Helenswood Academy and the police agreed urgent action needed to be taken.

Over the years, a number of incidents have occurred on this footpath and the serious attack this year prompted a review of the area and a plan to address safety issues.

Overgrown vegetation was cut back at the entrances to the footpath using probation community payback, a fence was erected along part of the footpath to block a gap and Ark Helenswood Academy ran a school competition to design signs to encourage safety on the footpath.

Cllr Warren Davies, the council’s lead member for the environment, said: “Working together with the police, Safer Hastings Partnership, fellow councillors and Ark Helenswood academy we are delighted to see the new signs, designed by students, now in place along the footpath.

“We have been very concerned about the safety of pedestrians on this footpath but with the measures now taken and the installation of a CCTV camera and increased patrols by the police we are confident that the Sandrock footpath is much safer.

“Congratulations must go to Sam Evans and Abi Baker whose winning design was used for the new signs and our thanks must also go to all partners that have been involved with ensuring the future safety of pedestrians in this area.”

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